Media Release – Hays Police Department
Office of the Chief of Police
On December 18, 2021, officers with the Hays Police Department were dispatched to the 600 blk of W. 13th, Hays Ks 67601 for a report of a man with a gun that had entered a home and attempted to rob the tenants.
Officers from the Hays Police Department and the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and learned that the suspect had fled on foot into the tree line south of O'Loughlin Elementary School. Police officers and deputies pursued the suspect on foot though the tree line. The officers were able to catch the suspect, but he refused to comply with the officers despite repeated commands. Master Police Officer (MPO) Nordell deployed his Taser, but it was ineffective because of the heavy coat the suspect was wearing. Sgt. Hauptman and MPO Nordell then tackled the suspect and forcibly handcuffed the suspect, who continued to resist. The suspected was then arrested and was transported to Hays Medical Center for medical evaluation. The suspect was then released and transported to the Ellis County Jail.
Investigation into this incident shows that the suspect had entered the apartment to rob the tenants. The suspect held a knife to a victim’s throat and threatened to kill him. A neighbor, hearing the disturbance, approached the apartment. The suspect confronted the neighbor and the neighbor attempted to call 911. The suspect took the phone away from neighbor, and the neighbor fled back into his apartment. The suspect chased the neighbor into the apartment. The neighbor then obtained a handgun to protect himself. The suspect attacked the neighbor and attempted to take the gun away from him. The neighbor was able to retain the gun and forced the suspect out of the apartment. The suspect then fled the scene and was later arrested by Sgt. Hauptman and MPO Nordell.
The suspect has been identified as Brenden Matthew Smith, a 28-year-old Hays resident. Smith was arrested for Aggravated Burglary, Robbery, Aggravated Battery, Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer, and Criminal Threat. Smith is currently being held in the Ellis County Jail. All parties are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.
This case is still under investigation by the Hays Police Department. Please contact Detective David Gillan at (785) 625-1011 if you have any information. Thank you for your assistance.